Two sides of the same coin: fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence as cognitive reserve predictors of social cognition and executive functions among vulnerable elderly people

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Date
2021-11Materias
Cognitive reserve
Fluid intelligence
Crystallized intelligence
Social cognition
Executive functions
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Abstract
The concept of cognitive reserve –CR– postulates two forms that prevent cognitive
impairment: neural reserve and neural compensation. Both have been primarily linked
to the protective role played by genetic factors, educational level, occupation or
socioeconomic status. Though it is true that it has been related to executive functions, so
far very little attention has been paid to its predictive capacity with other variables more
related to social cognition and psychosocial adaptation. Considering socially vulnerable
contexts with reduced cultural capital and educational levels, the neural reserve function
would be the most relevant and best predictor of aspects related to social cognition and
executive functions. We suggest that variables such as fluid and crystallized intelligence
influence social cognition and executive functions. This study included a sample of 27
participants over 60 years old from varied contexts of social vulnerability. The procedure
included data collection using various cognitive measures. Results show that elderly
people with high intelligence—mainly fluid intelligence—have better executive functions,
emotional recognition and theory of mind. These results focus on cognitive reserve and its
importance because they show that elderly people in vulnerable contexts who strengthen
these aspects protect themselves against the deterioration of cognitive skills. This study
is the first preliminary research to present a relationship between cognitive reserve and
social cognition factors in elderly subjects. Fluid intelligence functions as a highly related
factor to protect the performance of executive functions, along with other social-cognitive
factors relevant to facilitating the conditions of social adaptation.